Shorin Ryuu

Haha, no problem ad. I hear you. After rereading my post, it does sound kinda braggy. Oh well, I'll keep that in mind in the future. Um, stretching the fingers...I just sorta wiggle them around first then I just push them back and in varying directions. Its not anything too in-depth and is quite simple, really. I just know that after I do some of the finger pushups my fingers get kinda stiff. Its really more to get better blood flow and ensure that everything doesn't get too stiff.

I couldn't agree with hobbitbob more. While there is no doubt that many karate master throughout the years have definately promoted the mental and spiritual merits of martial arts, the true focus is fighting, and in those days, killing. Most certainly, they also did not kill unless they had to. If some drunkard picked a fight with them, then they obviously didn't kill them outright. Most of the emphasis of the martial arts, especially karate, to improve the self and all of that (not that I disagree with it) came about in the early 1900s with the advent of its introduction to the Japanese school curriculum. Especially now in the United States at least, parents want their children to learn discipline and respect, and thus it is more attractive for ads to read "Kids will learn respect and discipline" rather than "teach your young kid how to kill people in self-defense!". I could go on and on, but the point remains. As my signature used to say fully (but I discovered it was too long ) "In the old days we trained at karate as a martial art, but now they train at karate as a gymnastic sport. I think we must avoid treating karate as a sport - it must be a martial art at all times! Your fingers and the tips of your toes must be like arrows, your arms must be like iron. You have to think that if you kick, you try to kick the enemy dead. If you punch, you must thrust to kill. If you strike, then you strike to kill the enemy. This is the spirit you need in order to progress in your training." - Chibana Chosin - Also, I understand Funakoshi's quote "Karate ni sente nashi" or, there is no first strike in karate, but also remember Nagamine's words, "it enables a person to meet any situation with exactly the right expenditure of effort, neither too much nor too little, and it gives him control of his otherwise wayward mind so that neither physical danger from without nor rampant passion from within can dislodge him" and that it stems from "the fundamental human instinct of self-preservation" Well, sorry for the long post, but you guys get my point...

The way my instructor explained it to me is that its actually a leg grab with the leg that is raised. The hand over the knee could probably be a block, but its probably a grab because of the next movement where the hands chamber to the side. Thats my interpretation, anyway. Thats the great thing about kata, it could mean so many things

The Kobayashi lineage goes from Sokon Matsumura to Itosu to Chibana to its current head Nakazato. Not sure exactly what you mean about Chinto, (I haven't seen it performed by other styles) but near the end, we do go through the sequence where we go up on one leg, the other leg raised and the foot placed behind the knee. The hand that is on the same side as the raised foot goes over the knee and the other hand is pulled up and into a fist...Sorry I couldn't explain that very well...

Bu..Bu...BUMP!!! Ore ga otaku dakara... So, anyone into anime (and will admit it?) I personally don't have ONE favorite, since I've seen so many... I like these a whole lot (but have seen much more): Noir Rurouni Kenshin Cowboy Bebop Ranma 1/2 Serial Experiments Lain Macross (its a classic...) Tenkuu no Escaflowne Shinseiki Evangelion Hellsing Mobile Battleship Nadesico Excel Saga ...and I'll stop the list there before I go on forever... It really helps me learn the Japanese language...I swear (That's what I tell my Japanese teacher and my parents)... So, anyone else out there?

Hehe, you might have to change the name of your style...Its already taken by Rumiko Takahashi... Anyone who knows about Ranma 1/2 (and will admit to watching anime) knows what I'm talking about I'm sure the Saotome School of Anything Goes Martial Arts would have something to say about it... Of course, a literal translation of Saotome Musabetsu Kakutou Ryuu would be the Saotome School of Indiscriminate Fighting, but "Anything Goes" is probably more appropriate. But...back to the actual topic of this post... I think being eclectic is good, but there are obvious limits. Just hoping to absorb numerous styles without any sort of system seems rather difficult. But you do have to keep an open mind...I for one, actually do use a variant of drunken boxing in sparring, which is simply fun because it throws the opponent of guard and it is an incredible way to stay loose. It is important, however, as you go through your learning process, to have someone to guide you through your initial stages, or at least offer you feedback. They can give you advice on your technique that isn't readily apparent to you, since there are certain habits that you may not be aware of... For wrist exercises, use an exercise hammer (basically any bar with a weight on the end will do). Mind you, this is just one of many wrist exercises out there. Hold the non-weighted end and move your wrist up and down, side to side, etc... And back to Ranma...ITS FUNNY!!!! Have a good one...and good luck...

All the empty hand kata we have: Naihanchi I-III Pinan I-V Passai Sho Passai Dai (In some other styles, called Bassai) Chinto (in some other styles, called Gankaku) Kusanku Sho Gorin Kusanku Dai (In some other styles, the kusanku are called kwanku) Gojushiho (Some styles call it useishi) I don't know gojushiho yet, its a nidan form in my system

Forgive me if I am mistaken, it has been a while since I've read up on Bruce Lee. For all I know, I could be totally wrong on this one... But wouldn't Bruce Lee frown on a student focusing entirely too much on one aspect of fighting? Shouldn't you be like water that can take any shape? I thought he would've been more of a generalist, although intensely focused on whatever technique. Maybe generalist is a bad word. Would unrestricted be better? Unless of course you mean simply that each individual would develop one skill above others that their bodies are "naturally" good at. Of course this again may develop an unhealthy reliance upon that skill. Let me know what you think please.

Whoa, easy there, tiger...I only posted along the same lines as everyone else has in this topic (read the other page). And I did say that it my opinion, its a matter of building up slowly, since you can't jump into it right away. I remember those days when I experienced true difficulty in benchpressing a tuna fish sandwich... *remembers to yesterday* Oops! I just typed that, didn't I? But anyway, on a more serious note, If you really want to do these 1 finger pushups, make sure you stretch those fingers. Its kinda lame, but you don't want to hurt yourself...I've done it before. As for the balance part, which I didn't answer in my other post, it is probably best, as Synaesthesia said, to practice with one handers. One hand balance is best achieved by building enough strength. It sounds like a stupid simple answer, but balance is not only mental, but also working to build up the "stabilizer muscles" for any particular posture, which in this case is the pushup. With this and your the other endeavors, good luck!

This is something my karate instructor put in our manual. He's a big history buff, martial arts history especially, has done extensive research and these are his words (of that I am 80% sure...) In Japanese and Okinawan society, there is a very strict social class structure. It is similar to America's "upper class", "middle class", and "lower class". In Japan, in the early 1900's, this social class structure was as strong then as it still is today. Karate was just beginning to be taught on mainland Japan even though it had been thriving on Okinawa for many years. Due to this social structure, you had all three classes training together. Some upper class students felt they deserved better treatment than the middle and lower classes. Funakoshi, Gichin, founder of Shotokan Karate sensed this problem from the very start. He felt that a uniform was necessary in order to make everyone equal in the dojo. The karategi is a combination of the hakama and the judogi (already being used by Jigoro Kano’s Kodokan at this time). Traditionally, white was the only color and it was used to signify purity and also served to remove the class distinction in the dojo. Prior to this inclination, traditionally Chinese and Okinawan martial arts teachers and students were only given teaching certificates from their instructors at the time they had acquired enough knowledge to begin teaching themselves. This was the only traditional means of promotion. Here in America, the concept of equality and unification among fellow karateka has somewhat been discarded. Practitioners have traded the pure white uniform for gis that have "stars and stripes" as well as many other colors and styles. In some classes, the gi top is left out in favor of T-shirts. One of the most frequently asked questions at dojo in this country is, “How does your "belt system" go?” By this, the person is asking how one shows levels of achievement in their dojo. Of course, any information not known and any techniques learned is an achievement, but for some people, it is necessary to have visual proof of achievement. For both Eastern and Western cultures alike, the obi was introduced to the martial arts to award the practitioner with rank certification. Before an explanation of rank certification is given, it is necessary to discuss the history behind the obi. The obi is also a relatively new addition to the martial arts. In the beginning, there were no rank certifications, only titles. In China, one was considered a master, instructor, or student. On Okinawa, the titles of Renshi (trainer), Kyoshi (teacher), and Hanshi (Instructor of teachers) were the only certifications awarded. The man credited with inventing the Dan/Kyu System was Kano, Jigoro, who also was the founder of Judo. Judo has been practiced on Okinawa since the 1920's. Funakoshi, Gichin, had met Dr. Kano while in Japan. Funakoshi, himself a teacher and a very educated man, was very impressed with Dr. Kano and decided to use the Dan/Kyu system in his teaching and awarding of rank certification. In 1924, Funakoshi awarded seven men with karate's first Black Belt Dan. In 1937, Miyagi, Chojun, founder of Okinawa Goju Ryu, was the first karate expert to be awarded the title of Kyoshi. The next year, the Butoku Kai (butoku translates into "martial virtue") called for a meeting to discuss the standards for awarding rank certification. By the 1940's & 50's, anyone receiving a menjo (rank certification) had to have a member of the Butoku Kai sign the certificate recognizing his achievement. What this meant was any certifications issued were done so by an individual or organization that had set standards that were recognized by similar prestigious individuals or organizations. The Dan/Kyu System did not take hold on Okinawa until 1956, when Chibana, Chosin formed the Okinawa Karate Association. Chibana, Chosin is the first Okinawan to name his type of karate shorin-ryu and was the first president of the Okinawa Karate Association. Chibana and a man named Toyama, Kanken were the only ones recognized by the Japanese Ministry of Education to grant rank certification no matter what style of karate one was studying. In 1964, the Federation of All Japan Karate-do Organizations (FAJKO) was formed as the governing body for all karate, and by 1971, a standard system for issuing rank certification was adopted. This system is still in use today. The original colors used for the obis were white, brown, and black, but today, especially here in the United States a rainbow of colors have blossomed. This sprang from the American need to see all levels of achievement, no matter how minor. In this dojo, the colors used are those issued by the hombu dojo in Naha of the Kobayashi Shoinkan Shorin-Ryu karate system listed below. Students are taught that the obi does not make the difference in the student. Wearing a black obi does not make one all knowing or make their karate better, in fact, the wearer of the rank of Shodan (1st degree black belt) is frequently characterized as one who has “mastered” the basics. In the end, it's skill and character that earns rank and turns the student into a disciplined karate practitioner. My instructor says he longs for the days when there were only the white, brown, and black belts...and he says that all this commercialization makes him sad (he doesn't charge us for our tests and certificates...he doesn't even get paid to teach us).

I'm lucky, I've taken it for almost three years now and I've been to Japan twice. One trip was a month long and it was a language immersion program. I got to stay with a host family in Osaka for three weeks during the World Cup last summer. It was a blast. Also, my teacher is a native Japanese. Do you have a concentrated kanji learning program? I need to seriously stick with one... Good luck with your study!

I've always done lots and lots of pushups (go to a military college). I haven't trained consistently in this area, but the best i can do is pushups with one finger and one thumb on each hand. I also do them with my legs together, however, not with them spread apart. Its a matter of buildup. While Bruce Lee did do one finger pushups, his form wasn't really all that great. Of course, I can't do one finger pushups even with bad form... But its a matter of building up to it. I've never actually counted how many I could do without collapsing utterly, but in a two minute period (without arching or resting my back and getting out of proper pushup form or spreading the legs apart, etc.), the most I've ever done is 131 during a military fitness test. I can also do about 16 pullups with only two fingers on each hand (thats the hard pullup with your palms facing away from your body). The most pullups I've done at once was 29. Exercise is fun, isn't it?

Actually, according to U.S. law, you are allowed to use as much force as reasonable to protect yourself and in proportionality. In other words, if someone is doing a simple assault/battery on you, then you can respond in kind to defend yourself. By the same token, if they intend to inflict grevious and bodily harm to you (which ranges from serious damage to death), then you can use any force, even lethal, to defend yourself. If you do this, make sure it is believeable. Don't go off half-cocked and kill someone just because they kicked you in the shin and walked away. If you do kill someone who was trying to kill you, then that is a defense against murder. Just keep in mind, it must be proportional and I am in no way advocating you kill someone just because they are trying to kill you. But then again...if its me or him...then its gonna be him...

Ore wa saiko ni naru! Wahahahahaha! Um, aside from that Japanese anime cheesiness, I plan to one day open my own school and spread karate as best I can. Um, first I have to get really really good though.... My other, non-karate related ambition is to hopefully get into OSI after I graduate (sort of like FBI for the US Air Force) and help ensure peace at home for our servicemen. Kind of idealistic, but I have a strong sense of justice...

We have a couple of styles at my college, and I do Shorin Ryu there. Unfortunately, my instructor has to move next month ...I'm probably going to have to do some individual training for a while... My summer break is only three weeks long, and then the other 6 weeks I'm off doing various summer programs (In case you haven't guessed, I go to a military college). During this time, I just do individual training, whether it is basics or advanced stuff. Sometimes it is good to just further solidify what you have as well. Good luck with everything!

Hello everyone, its me again. I have the wonderful opportunity to attend a training seminar conducted by 10th dan Fusei Kise, the head of Matsumura Seito Ryu in Colorado this June. Anyone take this style and have any pointers on what to expect? I take Shorin Ryu, another traditional Okinawan style, so I have some idea. Thanks.

Oh, yeah, you're right...

Forgive the double post...but this is what I said in an earlier post in a different topic thats kind of related to your question... As one can tell from my name, I like Shorin Ryu. Anyhow, I have taken both Shorin Ryu and TKD and I have to say that I much prefer Shorin Ryu. This is only because my experience with TKD was rather negative, as they were very tournament focuses rather than some practical applications (and for this i speak only for the particular group I have had experience with). Although i have noticed some trends...but I don't want to offend anyone, and remember the style is only as good as the practicioner. Shorin Ryu, to me, seems more practical. At any rate, my teacher insists on teaching it as bujutsu rather than budo. This means that bujutsu, focuses on the combative nature rather than the philosophical nature, as true to its origins. This is not to say that there are no benefits of the mental and spiritual kind, in fact, they are numerous. However, lets be realistic and remember its history and development. Also, with respect to Okinawan vs. Japanese karate, I would choose Okinawan. Japanese karate, is a derivative of Okinawan karate, brought over mainly by Gichin Funakoshi. In his own words, he said that the style of karate taught in Japan is vastly different then that which he learned as a youth in Okinawa and that he greatly simplified all the kata which he brought over. See...I like to ramble... Another thing, as mentioned somewhere, the kata does become more advanced and more circular. I was actually under the impression that Shorin Ryu was in fact, a hard and rigid style, but it is actually not. This was based on my early learning of the naihanchi and the pinan (the pinan i consider kind of dumb for reasons i will explain in a little bit), but now that I know the passai, chinto, and the kusanku kata (don't know gojuushiho yet, its a 2nd dan kata), it is very circular and in the obvious case of chinto, very Chinese. Wow, thats a long sentence...and moving right along. I kind of dislike the Pinan kata because they are very simplified kata invented and spread by Itosu in the very early 1900s to introduce to the curriculum of young kids. Obviously, they were very watered down versions of other kata, such as the Passai and Kusanku kata. One thing to focus on the kata though, and this is sort of unrelated to the topic, but make sure you practice them with a focus on application, otherwise it turns into some silly dance that anyone can do.. Wow, I like this forum...Take care everyone!

Shorin Ryu, like most Okinawan martial arts is heavily influenced by Chinese martial arts. In the beginning, you might be led to believe that Shorin Ryu is a very hard, linear style, but through more advanced training, especially the higher kata, you see the circular and soft aspects of Shorin Ryu. I think a lot of Shorin Ryu teachers like to emphasize kata and practical self defense application, so thats why I like it. They also tend to be on the more physical side as well. Maybe my teacher is just a sadist, but we always get a good workout in. The punch is a little different too. Rather than a vertical tate like IsshinRyu or the more Japanese horizontal punch, it is actually a 3/4 punch. (At least in kobayashi shorin ryu). They also tend to use the Yamane Ryu for weaponry as well. I can't really delve into too many specifics, because I don't know who your teacher is or school and all that. Good luck and tell us all how it went!

21 last March

Just wondering, martial arts got me into Japanese... I'm not fluent, but I'm learning a bit.

I've only recently got one, and it was one that was already formed. Its a Chinese Elm (I live in a dorm so its easy to keep indoors). Hopefully I can get into it some more...

Shorin Ryu: Intense concentration upon street application.

I was wondering if martial arts has affected your diet at all. If so, what was the motivation? Here's my answer for an example... Starting about 5 years ago, I went cold turkey on any sort of junk food (yes, even birthday cake) and for four years, I was good. Then, I sorta let up a little (it was kind of extreme). Still, I only eat junk food maybe once a month or two. I don't even like the idea of constantly eating junk food and only very rarely do so (Usually ice cream). But like I said before, it is only maybe once a month or so. My instructor back then was a 9th dan and grew up in a temple in Korea, so he would always talk about the proper diet, amongst other things. It got me thinking and I went for it. I'm interested in what you guys do. Thanks and take care.

A few rokushakubo A few shinai A few bokken One Iaito Two pair of nunchaku Two pair of sai and...one M-9 Beretta